Most "representative" S&W revolver?

In his novel, "Dr. No", Ian Fleming referred to the revolvers being carried by the bad guys as "Smith & Wessons, the usual model."

I had no issues at all in seeing the M&P/Model 10 in my mind as I read that.

James Bond had a Centennial in the book, on No's island. He left a PPK in his bungalow, I guess.

Mind you, I am talking about the book, not the movie.

T-Star
 
I do love the Model 10 but I have to vote for the 19. Like somone mentioned earlier, it's the ultimate M&P. It's like the Model 10's Varsity letterman grandson.

I'm surprised the 36/60 hasn't come up yet. As far as snubbies go the Chiefs Special is it for most people. I know a lot of a people who call anything with a sub 2 inch barrel a "Chief".
 
Are you kidding me? This one?

When I first started this thread, considering esthetics, I figured the most "votes" would go to perhaps the famed Model 29 "Dirty Harry" revolver, or perhaps the incomparable Registered Magnum in the heyday of the first .357 Magnums. I myself think the Model 27 I illustrated in the OP is among the most glamorous and representative Smiths.

But the consensus here seems to give the nod to one of the most pedestrian revolvers Smith ever made - the Military & Police 4" (Model 10) with the tapered barrel. Certainly one of the most widely manufactured guns since the turn of the 20th Century. Not glamorous, but you might be right - certainly very representative of Smith's lineup for over a century. The K-frame seems "just right" for the majority of hands, and this one is ubiquitous; worn by the military and police for a long, long time, and favored as the "everyman's gun" on the civilian side.

Here's my favorite example of the M&P breed - this one's unfired, and came with the original box, tools and papers.

Let's get some more opinions, here!

John

MODEL10-small-captioned.jpg
 
And yet another vote for the 10.
Even as a kid when I thought of S&W I pictured a Model 10 - And had no idea what a Model 10 was.
Someone says Colt - I think 1911 - My wife pictures a baby horse :)
No such confusion with Smith & Wesson though.
 
I'll go with the M10. It's been carried by LEO units forever not counting the bank guards, Brinks guards. other private security firms, military, gangsters, in hundreds of movies, etc.

But.....the Model 15 Combat Masterpiece is a thing of beauty.
I go with it before the M19.
 
I agree with the original poster: The ".357 Magnum" with the 3.5" barrel, except I feel it should wear Diamond Magna stocks.
 
Old School

M17 (the top choice competition gun-for years)
M36 (the original "kit" gun)
M10 (the Police Pistol-Colt MKIIIs couldn't live up to the little .38)

Gary Cooper endorsed the "Outdoorsman" .22s
 
As much as I love and enjoy my Model 28's and 629 I am a die hard K Frame nut. The Model 10, 15, 13, 19, 64, 65 and 66 are all hard to beat. Then you have the rimfire K Frames as well. The K Frame is just a fine and long serving representative of Smith & Wesson hands down.
 
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As F.T. said, it is not my favorite but only the .38 M&P/ Model 10 fits the criteria. I tend to think of S&Ws from the outdoorsman's perspective, which would point me toward a Model 29, but S&Ws first and foremost are killing machines. That is why the Model 10 is the representative model of what they have produced the most of. S&W has certainly made more elegant, more complicated models that would look better on the cover of that book, but that was not the question. :)
 
Even non shooters know that Dirty Harry carried a Smith & Wesson. "The most powerful handgun in the world."

I'll vote N frame .44 Mag.
 
I'll go with the M&P .38 special (any regular barrel), with the .357 Magnum in 2nd place. I say the M29 and M19 are a little too "Johnny come lately" to be representing the history of this fine American company. Heck, they've only been around 55 or so years!
 
Off topic, but this has me confused...

"Model of 1950 Target. .357 Magnum?"

Thought that was .45ACP w/6.5" tapered barrel?:confused:

IMG_0030.jpg
 
Wow! what a great question, A personal favorite is the M27, but the cover of your book, no doubt 4" M&P.
 
Here we go again. Don't let Saxonpig know that someone called a 357 Magnum a "Model of 1950." :D

Ah, havin' a little fun...While I still can. Y'all jest keep them cards and letters. ~smiley~

probably should've read; .357 Magnum Model of 1950

Su Amigo,
Dave
 
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